Institute Measures to Stop the Outbreak

Last Updated: March 2022

There are a number of possible related activities that can make up control measures within jurisdictions to limit the extent of the outbreak, including:

1.) Conduct enhanced surveillance

Conduct enhanced surveillance in affected areas to maintain situational awareness and have insight into how other control measures are impacting the outbreak

2.) Engage in public health messaging

Engage in public health messaging around the current outbreak to increase awareness and keep all involved stakeholders informed .

3.) Engage in harm reduction activities

Engage in harm reduction activities as allowed by state and local law. Some examples of harm reduction activities to consider including:

Naloxone distribution and standing order programs, especially for the community and law enforcement. Note that communication about, and awareness of, standing orders is essential for their effectiveness.
Syringe Services Programs
Support of safe drug disposal program and safe drug storage programs, if available in a jurisdiction
Promoting knowledge about 911 and Good Samaritan reporting laws
Self-testing and safe use strategies to prevent overdoses (e.g., fentanyl test strips, Do Not Use Alone services and messaging, overdose prevention centers), as allowed by law
Evidence-based medication-assisted treatment availability (SAMHSA Opioid Treatment Program Directory) 
Behavioral health and recovery programs for substance use disorder including recovery-oriented systems of care
Peer recovery coach and navigator programs (HHS Peer and Recovery Specialist Support)
Overdose quick response programs – Example from North Carolina
Rhode Island Department Overdose Action Area Response (ROAAR)
Programs to enhance linkage to care for substance use disorder
Community messaging regarding 1) Overdose prevention, 2) What to do during an overdose, 3) What to do after an overdose, and 4) Where to obtain treatment for substance use disorders

4.) Partner with local organizations

Partner with local organizations to carry out prevention and control measures using the partnership and communication strategies outlined elsewhere in this Toolkit.

A useful resource to guide control measures is Evidence-Based Strategies for Preventing Opioid Overdose: What’s Working in the United States An introduction for public health, law enforcement, local organizations, and others striving to serve their community.

Glossary

Toolkit Resources

Conduct a Vulnerability Assessment

Conduct a vulnerability assessment to better understand which communities are at risk of overdose. Examples of public health jurisdictions who have done this include:

Build a Drug-related Data Dashboard

This public-facing dashboard should include all statistics available on deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and prescription data for the state or community. The dashboard can be used to inform the community about the magnitude of the substance use or overdose problem and provide opportunities for collaboration in addressing the problem. Examples of states who have done this for opioid misuse include: Oregon,  California, Michigan and Arizona. There is a link to state drug-related dashboards in the Resources section of this toolkit.

Toolkit Resources

Get more insights by using our toolkit resources.
Go to Resources

Glossary

Learn the definition of the key words being used.
Go to Glossary

Thanks

Thank you, to all of our contributors.
View our contributors

Using the power of epidemiology to improve
the public’s health.

Contact Us

Have any questions or recommendations, you can contact us at overdose@cste.org